"I don't see why you are taking me there." Saad muttered while driving on a dreadful grey day. Rain was lashing on the windscreen and the swish of the wipers were annoying him.

Saira Bano clucked, "I am sure you will like her. I saw her in the masjid during Eid prayer."

"You didn't even show me her picture." He was not confident about his mother's choice at all.

For the last six months, Saira was vigorously searching for the right girl for her beloved son Saad. By now, he had seen so many pictures of girls that he had lost count of them. After seeing each picture, he always discouraged Saira to proceed any further. But she had enough. This time she didn't even bother with the picture. Instead, she was dragging him to the girl's house.

He was only 26 years old and in no rush to get married. His mother had other ideas. After the reprehensible marriage of his elder brother Usman, Saira was not taking chances. Usman had eloped with the girl of his choice after Saira had rejected her. It had shattered all her dreams. Now, she wanted one daughter in law as per her choice and knowing Saad she knew her youngest son will not refuse her.

Parking in front of the terraced house in Lucan a suburb in west Dublin, he sighed deeply. He really was not interested. Imploringly, he glanced at his mother. But she ignored him completely, oblivious to his plight. In defeat he stared at the house he was expected in, the front yard was eloquently landscaped with various shrub beds, neatly trimmed grass and ceramic pots of floral plants. There was no sight of any weeds at all. A decade old black Audi A4 was parked in the drive way.

Saira patted his arm, "Chalo (C'mon).

With heavy feet, he followed his enthusiastic mother to the door. Ardently, she pressed the door bell and within few seconds the door opened. Standing in front of them was a lean middle aged man in his mid-forties. His warm dark eyes crinkled and he smiled in welcome.

"Salaam, I am Jahangeer. Sana's father."

Saad was taken back, the man was very young to have a daughter in her early twenties. Jahangeer must have married early. Also, Saad noted as they introduced themselves, Jahangeer was fit. He was a lean man, black hair with a hint of grey hair and tanned skin. He was dressed in a formal pinstripe light blue shirt and grey dress pants.

After the initial introductions, they were seated in the living room. As his mother went on praising him, Saad looked around the intricately decorated room. It was evident this room's décor was done by a woman. There was a feminine touch to it. There were colourful cushions on the beige leather sofa. House plants in ceramic pots and rattan baskets were placed on coffee table, side tables and even hanging from the curtain railing. Teal damask wallpaper adorned the wall where the mantle was. There were lanterns and candles of all sizes on the mantle. In the corner was a bookshelf where different Pakistani & Islamic ornaments sat amongst books. On the far wall, were family pictures, he was too far away to closely look, unable to determine which of the girls his mother was interested in.

"So Saad beta, tell me about your work?" Jahangeer's probing snapped Saad out of his reverie.

With a constrained smile, Saad replied, "I work for a marketing agency. We specialise in online marketing." And so he went on with the interview. He felt he was being critically analysed as Jahangeer asked one question after the other.

On the other side of the living room wall, stood a nearly 20 year old Amal peeking through the gap of the slightly closed door. Her frown deepened as she tried her best to see the guy in question. All she could see was the 'Aunty' who was praising her son and her father politely listening. She craned her neck to look in the other direction and that's when she saw him.

A slim man dressed in a formal burgundy shirt and black pants, sat in the colourful floral print armchair. He had a sleek look in his undercut hairstyle, gleaming light skin and clean shaven face. Under his bushy black eyebrows were hooded dark eyes and as Amal leaned forward, their eyes met. She gasped and pulled back behind the door. Leaning against it, she pressed her hand on her chest where her heart was fluttering like the wings of a caged bird. She didn't want to get caught in eyeing him.

She rushed to the kitchen, where her elder sister by four years was preparing tea and an assortment of snacks for the 'special guests'.

"Api I saw him." Breathlessly Amal announced.

Had it not been for a momentarily stillness in Sana as she poured milky chai in the fancy tea pot, Amal would have never known whether her sister was intrigued.

Amal sat on the stool by the kitchen island and looked in the rattan fruit basket. When Sana didn't respond, Amal went on, "He is not bad actually. In fact this one is better than the last guy who visited us."

Smiling bashfully and her cheeks pinked, Sana urged her younger sister, "Amal you need to help me set this up. Abou will be here any moment asking for tea."

Amal took an apple and bit into it. "I think you will like him." She mused out loud, ignoring her sister's instructions completely.

"At least, set the lemon drizzle cake you baked." Sana pushed her.

"Right" She slid from the bar stool. "I'll help you and then I am going upstairs. I am not coming in front of them." Besides she was still in her grey hoodie and tracksuit bottoms.

The sisters set the round dining table. There were assortments of club sandwiches, chicken samosas, sugary mithai and of course Amal's freshly baked lemon drizzle cake. Covertly, Amal noticed the smile lingered on her sister's face. She scrunched her nose in distaste, how could one anticipate to marry a stranger?

****

The oncologist consultant, Dr Helen McNamara grimly looked up from the file she was studying. She quietly assessed the young couple sitting in front of her. Apprehension etched their faces. This was never easy for her. Masking her facial expressions, she said in a soothing tone, "I am afraid I don't have any good news to give you."

Saad straightened in his seat and leaned forward in fretful dread.

"After running all the tests, we can now confirm the abnormality we had earlier detected is cancer. Breast cancer."

Sana gasped. The doctor gaze moved from Saad to Sana.

In her most professional voice, Dr McNamara further elaborated, "It is in its stage 4. This is called metastatic breast cancer"

Saad knew this. The last few days when the doctors voiced their fears that it may be cancer he had been trying to understand what was wrong with Sana he had been searching on Google and read all about the different stages of cancer.

The doctor gave them few moments to absorb this new development. "There are some treatments we can start with immediately."

Saad had many questions but seemed he had lost his voice. He couldn't bring his tongue to move.

The doctor was explaining the different treatment options they had. But he wasn't able to comprehend all this.

"Am I dying?" Sana questioned, crushing his heart.

The doctor paused in midsentence. She cleared her throat and then smiled gently, "You are a young woman Sana. With these new treatments we will know in coming days how you fare."

Sana shook her head, disregarding doctor's advice. "You haven't answered my question. Am I dying?"

"We have seen patients bouncing back from this and learning to live with it for many years."

The doctor had an abstract reply. This wasn't good. Not good at all. Defeated, Saad covered Sana's hand that was resting in her lap.

As he squeezed her hand in silent support, he looked straight at the doctor, "We are ready for any treatment you recommend."

He would go in any lengths for his wife.

****

Saad was getting annoyed, for last half an hour his mother and Jahangeer sahib were only discussing his traits. What was the point of him coming here anyways? He felt he was in an auction ready to be bid. That's when she stepped in.

Standing at the threshold of the door that connected the living room to the dining room, Sana greeted the guests, "Assalam u alaikum,"

He may have lost his tongue because he wasn't able to respond to the greeting.

Jahangeer smiled with pride, "This is my daughter Sana."

"Walaikum salaam" Saira replied with a broad smile and patted the seat beside her, "Beta come sit here."

She wasn't the same girl who was peeking through the door. She looked calm and what he was slowly liking about her was the serenity that surrounded her.

She was in beige and gold embroidered kurta and straight pants. Her gold dupatta was draped around her head securely. She had onyx black eyes that sparkled like jewels. A round nose adorned with gold nose ring. Every time light caught the nose ring it speeded his heart. Her small lips were coated with light lip gloss and when she smiled at his mother, his breath hitched. But what captivated him the most was her skin tone. It wasn't fair and nor was it dark but a gold hue flawless skin that reminded him of honey.

Saira pointed at him, "This is my son Saad."

Their eyes met and sparks flew. At least for him because she quickly looked away.

Only when he realised, Jahangeer was talking to him that he looked away. Throughout the time he was there, his eyes went back at her.

His resolution of staying single was slowly crumbling. Perhaps, it was now time to accept his fate and concede with his mother's wish of marrying.

****

The change in seasons had brought in the cooler days and even colder nights. Leaves had turned dark and shrivelled. The sun struggled to shine amidst dark clouds that hovered that early morning. On the footpath, fallen leaves crunched under Saad's Nike runner cladded feet.

This was not the usual morning run. His legs exerted with all pressure. He was breathless, air was squeezing out of his lungs. Tears blurred his vision. An agonising groan left his lips as he kept going. The first raindrops slithered down his already wet hair mingling with his sweat.

He sped with no caution. Passer by eyed him warily. He was coming to the end of the walking track in the park. The big grass meadow was ahead. He kept going. His new runners smeared in dirt. The grass torn.

As he reached the middle of the meadow, he couldn't go on. His feet slowed. The rain sped. He couldn't breathe. There was excruciating pain in his chest. His heart ached. He was heaving. Hands on his knees he bent to control his breathing and erratic heartbeat.

But nothing worked.

Instead he stretched and looked up at the sky. It was down pouring. The heavens had unleashed their onslaught.

Why?

Why?

Why wasn't it him? He couldn't afford to lose her. How will he cope without her? He didn't know existence without her.

There, secluded, where no one could hear or see him, he broke down in front of the Lord of the Worlds.

An anguished shout left his lips.

Tears dripped.

And then an earnest prayer cried from his heart.

"Please...Please... save her."

****

Sitting on a deep purple plush velvet prayer mat, Jahangeer raised his hands to his Lord and tears dribbled down his cheeks.

He wasn't strong for this tribulation. He couldn't bear to see his precious daughter go through this pain.

"Ya Allah bless her with health and long life. May she see the happiness of her daughters. Ameen."

For many minutes, he sat solemnly on the prayer mat and silently prayed for the well being of his beloved daughter. It is only when Amal touched his shoulder that he was jolted and looked up.

Red rimmed eyes looked at his younger daughter. His shoulders shook in silent sobs.

"Abou, you need to be strong especially for Api." She swallowed, opened her mouth to speak again but nothing came out. She took a deep breath and for a moment closed her eyes. "Abou, please for her."

Seeing tears in his eyes, determined for her to go on. "I know if you are this stressed in front of her she will break down and worse she will give up. She needs to fight this. Allah will bless her with shifa. With medicine what is most important is that she has the will and strength to fight this."

Jahangeer pursed his lips and stared at Amal. When did she mature? She was right, he had to fight this as well. He had to be the supporting pillar as he always was for his girls.

"We are her strength now." Amal emphasized.

The doorbell rang and Jahangeer closed his eyes dreading what was ahead.

"She is here." Amal whispered, slowly she stood up and then held out her hand for him. He placed his frail hand in hers and rose to his feet. He felt he had aged a decade in the last 24 hours. There was great burden on his shoulders.

"Please Abou." Amal reminded him.

With sad eyes and grim face, Jahangeer nodded imperceptibly.

With every step he took towards the main door, his resolution bolstered.

The doorbell rang again.

This time he was near the door and promptly opened it. Nida and Leena rushed in the house, "Salaam Nana." Nida greeted in her usual cheeriness.

Leena hurried to the kitchen, "My colour book." It seemed she had forgotten her favourite colouring book here.

Nida ran after her sister, "Heyyy I want to colour too."

His eyes trailed after his innocent granddaughters. How carefree this age was, oblivious to the trials of this world.

Sighing, he looked up at his son in law and weakly smiled. "I want to talk to her."

Saad nodded, "She is in the car."

Sana was going to her first treatment appointment. First of many to come. Sitting at the front passenger seat, she looked frail. Her skin was pale, lips parched and deep dark circles around her eyes. Sana looked through the windscreen that Jahangeer was approaching her, she released the seatbelt from its buckle.

He shook his head and instead opened the door. His eyes roved at his beloved daughter. She may look tired and ill but to him she was still beautiful and most importantly precious than any worldly treasures.

Tentatively, he touched her hijab clad head. He kissed her forehead and said, "You are strong Sana. Have faith in Allah. He will bring you out of this. Be steadfast especially for your.." his voice broke, "for your girls."

Moisture gathered in her eyes and she encircled her arms around him, pressing her face in his chest, "I am scared Abou."

A long time ago memory rushed back, after his late wife's death how Sana would come in the middle of night to his room saying the same words.

"My prayers are always with you beta (child)." Reassuringly, he rubbed her back.

Standing at the doorway of the house, Amal watched her father encouraging Sana. She swallowed the big lump in her throat. Pursing her lips, she took the step towards the car.

Years of sisterly companionship flashed back in front of her eyes. None of the bitterness of the last few years could have faded the love she had for her only sibling.

Now then ever before, she needed her the most.

She took another step towards the car. Standing on the front yard grass, Saad glanced at her and stiffened.

Their eyes clashed.

****

Except for the last scene, most of this chapter was written back in August. I had planned to update it within the week I had updated the previous chapter but then Allah had other plans and He is the best of planners.

I am trying my best to come back to my writing. I will not be promising but remember me in your prayers. I have many stories to tell. All I need is a bit of motivation and time to be able to sit down and write.

Please do leave a comment and vote.

Until next time,

Assalam u alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuhu.